Overlooking the sparse Etosha Pans, Onguma The Fort stays true to its name. With a Morrocan inspired design, the hotel truly resembles a fort and offers guests all the creature comforts of luxurious accommodation, incredible sunsets and wonderful views from its tower.
Awarded: Silver
Location
The camp is located close to the eastern gate of Etosha National Park on the 340km² Onguma Reserve. Once a cattle farm, the reserve now harbors over 20,000 hectares of protected land with wildlife as impressive as the national park offers, including the rare black rhino. Apart from over thirty animal species roaming the reserve, the landscape is sparse, dotted mainly with camel thorn trees.
Rooms
There are 12 rooms spaced apart on either side of the main building to continue the fort-like atmosphere. With high-beamed ceilings, terracotta and brown décor and splashes of bright colour, the rooms are spacious and welcoming. Interiors include large double beds with mosquito netting flanked by glass windows overlooking the waterhole and Fischer’s Pan. There’s a writing desk, a fireplace and air-conditioning for warm summer nights. Outside, a shaded deck is adorned with loungers, and spacious Moroccan-inspired en-suites offer outdoor showers.
Honeymooners can enjoy Fort Suite, located inside the tower of the main building. The interior features a large bedroom with a lounge area, a private deck overlooking the waterhole and an open-air shower and bathtub in the en-suite.
Communal Areas
The main area boasts even more of the lavish Moroccan styling with carved antique doors, ochre walls and pretty lanterns lighting up the space. Sofas in the lounge are positioned around a central fireplace and an open-sided dining area provides waterhole and night sky views. A tree-shaded deck is the perfect place for post-dinner conversation and the swimming pool and outside bar makes for an ideal mid-afternoon lounging spot. For wonderful views across the reserve, the lodge’s tower provides sofas and scatter cushions to watch the sunset over drinks. A stunning water feature flows throughout the property which is illuminated at night.
Activities
Morning and afternoon guided drives are available within Etosha National Park and guests can also opt for self-drive safaris through the wilderness of the park. Take guided game drives in the reserve including sundowner and night drives which head out after dinner.
Fully inclusive
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.
A beautiful season to visit as the landscape transforms into many shades of green. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread out and the vegetation thick, making game viewing difficult.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 30°C/86°F midday, while the nights average 18°C/64°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.
A beautiful season to visit as the landscape transforms into many shades of green. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread out and the vegetation thick, making game viewing difficult.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 30°C/86°F midday, while the nights average 18°C/64°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.
A beautiful season to visit as the landscape transforms into many shades of green. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread out and the vegetation thick, making game viewing difficult.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 30°C/86°F midday, while the nights average 18°C/64°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
A beautiful season to visit as the landscape transforms into many shades of green. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread out and the vegetation thick, making game viewing difficult.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 30°C/86°F midday, while the nights average a chilly 16°C/61°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate. This is the best safari period in Etoshia as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes. The thinning vegetation also makes it easy to spot game.
Midday temperatures are surprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate. This is the best safari period in Etoshia as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes. The thinning vegetation also makes it easy to spot game.
Midday temperatures are surprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate. This is the best safari period in Etoshia as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes. The thinning vegetation also makes it easy to spot game.
Midday temperatures are surprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate. This is the best safari period in Etoshia as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes. The thinning vegetation also makes it easy to spot game.
Midday temperatures are surprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Game viewing can be fantastic during September and October; temperatures continue to rise before the start of the rains, with average midday temperatures 33°C/91°F, it is not uncommon for much warmer days than this, with temperatures occasionally over 40°C/104°F. Morning temperatures average a surprisingly chilly 16°C/61°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Game viewing can be fantastic during September and October; temperatures continue to rise before the start of the rains, with average midday temperatures 33°C/91°F, it is not uncommon for much warmer days than this, with temperatures occasionally over 40°C/104°F. Morning temperatures average a surprisingly chilly 16°C/61°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
The start of the wet season, with the occasional short sharp thunderstorm.
Temperatures are quite hot, averaging 33°C/91°F midday, it is not uncommon for much warmer days than this, with temperatures occasionally over 40°C/104°F. Morning temperatures are more pleasant with an average minimum of 18°C/64°F
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
The start of the wet season, with the occasional short sharp thunderstorm.
Temperatures are quite hot, averaging 33°C/91°F midday, it is not uncommon for much warmer days than this, with temperatures occasionally over 40°C/104°F. Morning temperatures are more pleasant with an average minimum of 18°C/64°F
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.